Park service looking for ‘genuine conversation’ about protest costs

A view of the National Mall from Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Advocacy groups have raised concerns about new protest fees being used to recover the costs of demonstrations on the National Mall, but the National Park Service says the idea is only in the earliest stages of being considered.

WASHINGTON — Advocacy groups have raised concerns about new protest fees being used to recover the costs of demonstrations on the National Mall, but the National Park Service says the idea is only in the earliest stages of being considered.

Related Stories

“We want to be clear that the idea of charging for First Amendment demonstrations is not in the proposal,” National Park Service spokesman Brent Everitt told WTOP. “The National Park Service is merely soliciting comments from the public on whether that is something we should explore, moving forward.”

Everitt said NPS wants the public to let the agency know whether they think “cost recovery” related to protests should be considered in the future. If the public did indicate support for the idea, he noted another comment period and legal review would likely be done before consideration of a formal proposal — if one is made.

“So far we’re up to 7,600 comments,” Everitt said. “That’s absolutely what we’re looking for, because what we are trying to do at this point in the process is to have a genuine conversation with the public about updating our comprehensive plan that best facilitates the use and enjoyment of the National Mall.”

Any final decision would be made by NPS in consultation with the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The proposed guidelines were posted in mid-August; a 60-day comment period ends on Monday. The public comments will then be reviewed as the process moves forward.

Like WTOP on Facebook and follow @WTOP on Twitter to engage in conversation about this article and others.

Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving staple. But if you want to wow your dinner guests with something a little more creative, try these recipes for pumpkin cream cheese brownies or salted caramel pumpkin buns. And if you prefer to drink your dessert, flex your mixology skills with a pumpkin fizz cocktail.